Maintaining Your Barcode Scanner to Maximize its Performance

Barcode Scanners and Wireless Barcode Scanners are now essential to many businesses. Malfunction or repair of which can cost you not only direct loss of time and cost but can also bring functions to a slow down. Maintaining a Barcode Scanner isn’t rocket science, however, it is very easy to overlook mistakes you could be doing on a daily basis that affect the lifespan and durability of your scanner and bringing in stress.

Barcode Scanners, like the Honeywell Xenon 1900ghd or Wireless Barcode Scanners, like the Voyager 1202g, like other Honeywell Barcode Scanners, are fairly easy to maintain. It starts with educating yourself about your scanner and its specifications, using it as per recommendation only and some timely TLC.

Time and money spent on getting your barcode scanner repaired can be avoided most of the time if you know the basics of barcode scanner maintenance and troubleshooting. Here are some you need to know today.

Maintaining your wired or wireless barcode scanner to avoid repair costs:

1. Invest in a good wired/ wireless barcode scanner

The chances of a bad scanner giving up on you frequently are higher than that of a good one. Before you make a purchase for scanners for your business do thorough research. Find reliable and trustworthy manufactures that ensure high product quality and better after-sales support. Like, Honeywell Barcode Scanners that have been around since the 1970s and continue to manufacture durable, smart wired and wireless barcode scanners.

2. Do not drop your scanner repeatedly

It should be a given that manhandling your scanner will affect its life. Most scanners come with a wristband for a better grip and to avoid drops. Every wired or wireless scanner comes with a specified drop resistance. Ensure you know what your scanner can take. For instance, the Honeywell Xenon 1900g can withstand up to 50 drops to concrete from distances as high as 1.8 m (6 ft).

3. Store in favorable conditions

Barcode Scanners Wired or Wireless need be used like you would use any other electronic device. Direct sunlight and extreme heat are obvious stimuli that can deteriorate function and affect the lifespan of your scanner. Keeping your scanner away from direct water, extreme dust or damp areas should also be practiced as a ritual. Some rugged barcode scanners may permit use under exposure to dust, water or heat but refrain from doing so until it specifies so about your scanner.

4. Clean ‘carefully’-regularly

Daily use in a working environment can make your scanner dirty and also allow dust or dirt to settle and accumulate in its crevices and gaps. Cleaning your wired or wireless barcode scanner should be a regular practice and that too careful cleaning.

Other than the hardware, cleaning your reading window regularly will enable faster, better, readings. While scanners like the Honeywell Xenon 1900ghd and the Honeywell Voyager 1202g both boast of reading poorly printed, smudged, faded and other difficult-to-read barcodes with ease and feature an extended depth of field; cleaning their reading windows only helps boost performance.

A damp cloth with or without a gentle cleaning agent (without powder) should do the job perfectly. Avoid strong cleaning agents like acetone and materials that could cause scratches on the surface of the reading window. Be aware of the motion you use while cleaning and be gentle at all times so as to avoid abrasions and damage to the reading window that is usually made of plastic or glass. Your scanner box/manual will usually suggest an ideal manner to clean your reading window.

5. Understand the IP rating

The IP rating of your barcode scanner is its Ingress Protection Rating. These ratings are an internationally defined set used to determine levels of sealing effectiveness of an electronic device from tools, dirt, moisture, etc. Knowing the IP rating of your barcode scanner will give you an idea of what conditions you can and cannot put your wired or wireless barcode scanner through safely.

The first digit of the IP rating states defense against solid intrusions, and the second digit against liquid intrusions. For instance, the Honeywell Xenon 1900ghd scanner is IP41. The first digit i.e. 4 means it can endure intrusions from wires or screws greater than 1mm in size. The second digit i.e. 1 states that it is protected against vertically dripping water. Hence, you can determine that the Honeywell Xenon 1900ghd is protected from tools and small wires greater than 1 millimeter and condensation.

Similarly, the Honeywell Voyager 1202g is IP42. Just like the Xenon, the first digit is 4, which means it is protected against wires, screws or tools greater than 1mm in size. However, the second digit is 2 which states that the device will not be harmed when exposed to vertically dripping water even when held at a 15-degree angle from its normal position. So in conclusion, the Honeywell Voyager 1202g is protected from tools and small wires greater than 1 millimeter and from water spray at less than 15 degrees.

Below are also some basic troubleshooting methods for frequently faced problems or technical errors while using barcode scanners.

6. Barcode Scanner Screen frozen

Rebooting your scanner on the occurrence of a frozen screen should be your first response. Remove the battery and let the scanner sit for about 30 seconds. Then plug the batteries back in and reboot your scanner.

7. Barcode Scanner Trigger stuck

A stuck trigger is usually due to debris build up in the trigger space. If you follow the above-mentioned practices, you would already reduce the chances of having a stuck trigger. You could also use a straight-pin to get rid of the debris or disassemble your scanner. However, if your scanner is under warranty refrain from doing these as they can nullify your warranty.

8. Barcode Scanner won’t turn on

The obvious issues in this condition could be that your battery is discharged and needs recharging or replacing. Make sure to also check if the batteries are aligned correctly as a misalignment could stop your scanner from turning on too.

These are some quick ways to maintain your barcode scanner and maximize its performance. Use these on a regular basis and witness the extent and frequency of issues you face fade away and reduce drastically.

Now that you know the tips and tricks of maintaining a barcode scanner, you can be worry-free about its performance.

We carry a wide range of products at the best prices, including Honeywell scanners, to suit the varied needs of our clients. Browse through our selection to choose the one that meets your requirements. Feel free to give us a call at +1 (866) 696-4221 if you have any questions.

Also Read:

Top Applications & Uses of Barcode Scanners

Choosing Barcode Scanners for Your Business